An oxygen reduction catalyst derived from a robust Pd-reducing bacterium. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xiong, Lu; Chen, Jie-Jie; Huang, Yu-Xi; Li, Wen-Wei; Xie, Jia-Fang; Yu, Han-Qing
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 12(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 42
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Biogenic Pd nanoparticles -- Oxygen reduction reaction -- Heteroatom-doped-carbon -- KOH activation -- Density functional theory; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2014.11.065
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: Noble-metals with carbon-based support remains a typical catalyst in fuel cell applications, but their fabrication is usually complicated and energy intensive. In this work, Shewanella cells are used as an environmentally friendly factory for nano-sized Pd preparation and a precursor for multifunctional carbon support with functionalized surface and heteroatom dopant. With simple KOH activation at 420 °C, a highly-porous heteroatom-doped carbon with well-dispersed Pd nanoparticles was derived from the microbial cells. The as-synthesized material exhibited a 2.2-times larger specific mass catalytic activity (at −0.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl) towards oxygen reduction reaction, better durability and higher methanol tolerance than commercial Pt/C catalyst. Density functional theory calculations provide a molecular-level insight into the ORR mechanism, and suggest that its great catalytic activity was ascribed to the high reactivity of Pd4 cluster and the N- and O-doped carbon support with vacancy. This work opens a facile, low-cost and eco-friendly approach for hybrid electrocatalyst preparation and provides implications for the expanded application of biogenic nano-sized metal nanoparticles. Graphical abstract: Highlights: A green and simple way was proposed for the synthesis of hybrid electrocatalyst. The prepared electrocatalyst exhibited a great ORR catalytic efficiency and stability. DFT simulation provides a molecular-level insight into the mechanisms. This work expands the application of biogenic metal nanoparticles.